The 19-year-old hurt his ankle in last week's tour game against a Cricket Australia XI at the SCG.

Team coach Ravi Shastri said the Test in Perth, starting next Friday, will come too soon along the rehabilitation process but Melbourne is looking good.

Murali Vijay’s position likely to come udner threat upon return of Prithvi Shaw.

And judging by their top order woe in Adelaide, India will welcome him back with open arms.

Bharat Sundaresan pays tribute to Pujara's 'grit and tenacity' while others around him fell in a heap and decided full-on attack was the best form of defence.

"While the rest refused to lift their feet off the pedal even when there were obvious obstacles on the way, Pujara held on to the hand-brake when it mattered before settling into cruise-mode once he was set, and then stepping on the gas when it was really required."

The great man himself - Sachin Tendulkar - is confident Pujara's knock has kept India's hopes alive of taking a 1-0 series lead.

"The game is wide open at this stage. The way the new ball is used in Australia in the first 15-20 overs is extremely crucial and could very well have an impact on which way this Test could go."